Bringing Kids Home

Our guest today is Michael and Kirby Pool. The Pools both grew up west of Gilmer, TX, in the area of Harmony. This is home today. They have three great kids. Eli, Ethan, and Elyssa. Michael is a Pastor and Respiratory Therapist and Kirby is a teacher in Harmony ISD. Kirby’s best friend growing up was Michael's sister and Michael's football coach in High School is now his father-in-law. When reflec...

Our guest today is Russ Youngblood. He and his wife Violet have been married for many years. Russ served in the military during Vietnam as a combat Marine and then all over the US, Europe and Israel with the Army Criminal Investigation Division. He now is enjoying his grandchildren and a well-deserved retirement. Russ is one of a few who grew up at TBHC when it was an orphanage. He joins us to sha...

Ms. Joanna has been with TBHC off and on in some capacity since 1969. She has seen this ministry evolve from institutional style living to home-like cottages through today where we specialize in foster care and adoption. She has worked under five Presidents and held numerous positions within TBHC. Listen to her memories on some of the impactful people that she has had the privilege of working with...

Our guest today is TBHC’s very own Staci Beck. She grew up in Euless Texas. Staci and her husband Bentley have made Waxahachie home for more than 5 years. They are raising their beautiful daughters Cofi and Rosine as well as their 3 dogs who are very important members of the family. Along with Staci’s work at TBHC as our Foster Care Director she has her LPC and has experience in counseling all age...

Our guest today is Dana Holt, TBHC’s Regional Foster Care & Adoption Director. Dana has worn many hats during her 10 years at TBHC. She has recently opened our new Permian Basin branch office in Odessa, TX. She is an advocate for helping children heal from trauma as well as being an extra support for foster families through this process. Dana shares how you can get involved and bring awareness...

Our guest today is Jessica Cawthorn. She grew up in Waxahachie and currently lives in Rockwall, TX with her husband, John and a 3-year-old son Kian! We are excited to explore Jessica’s story with you today. Jessica has been connected to TBHC since she was 13 years old. Her story is one of resiliency and redemption.  She joins us today furthering TBHC mission and hoping to encourage and bring aware...

We will be visiting with Staci Beck, TBHC's Lead Foster Care Director/Clinical Associate, about Child Abuse Detection and Prevention.  April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Staci will be talking about the different types of abuse that can occur as well as warning signs to look for and what to do when we suspect abuse. Knowing how abuse affects children and communities highlights the need for...

Our guest today is Cody Jenkins . Cody spent most of his informative years in Blooming Grove TX. His parents still call this little town home. His current community is Ellis County and he serves on staff at First Baptist Church Red Oak as the Spiritual Formation Pastor . Using his words, Cody describes his family as “we’re pretty awesome”. He and his wife Bristi were married May 1, 2010 and have 4...

Our guest today is Trooper Colunga. Trooper Colunga grew up in Marlin and Waco Texas.  He has lived in Ennis since 1980. He had a great career in Law Enforcement and after 40 years is enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Trooper Colunga has been married to his wife Diana for 10 years and they have 4 children. He is here to share his story of adoption and the value of an education. Through his year...

Our guest today is Mallori Gallegos. She lives in Roanoke TX with her five-year-old son Isaiah! She services in ministry with kids at Cross Timbers Church specifically in The Hope Center. I’m excited to explore Mallori and Isaiah’s story with you today. Her story is proof that God’s plans for our lives are always bigger and better than any we can imagine. She joins us today furthering TBHC mission...

Teen Pregnancy Care Coordinator, Heather, shares the purpose of this new program and how TBHC saw the need to start this program.  She shares the goals that we hope to accomplish with this new ministry.  Find out how you can support this new program.   Episode sponsored by Imagine Nation Learning Center (imaginenationcenter.com).

Our guests today are back from last time! Aaron and Charity Clayton completing their story of adoption. If you missed the previous episode, please go back and listen.  You will not want to miss it.   Episode sponsored by Danceworks of Waxahachie. They are transforming lives by using the gift of dance to bring light to the world. Find out more about Danceworks at danceworkswax.net

Our guests today are Aaron and Charity Clayton. The Clayton’s both spent time growing up in Texas - Charity in Desoto and Aaron in Terrell. Their family has lived in the Waxahachie area since 2011, where they have planted and are growing a church called Remedy Church. Aaron has also served as a Trustee for TBHC and they are both stepping back into the world of adoption and are working with us thro...

My guests today are Philip and Kelly Ledbetter. After some time in other states Philip and Kelly's families eventually came to Texas. They have been married 12 years and are currently living in McKinney Texas. Philip teaches Fencing and Archery and Kelly is a freelance writer who somehow finds time to read over a hundred books a year. They started their journey of adoption with TBHC in 2015. Their...

My guest today is Kristin Morgan. She is one of TBHC’s Board Members. Kristin grew up outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Her family has lived in the DFW Area for about 15 years. She currently works for the SBTC as a special needs consultant. Kristin and her husband Carl have been married for almost 20 years. Their household grew exponentially overnight in 2016 when they welcomed 5 children into...

My guest today is Pastor Jason Collins of Crossroads Rowlett. I have had the privilege of observing his families’ foster care journey from a distance and have heard his passion to minister to the fatherless. Jason and his wife Kristal with their three biological kids started fostering and now have had three sibling groups in their home. They have experienced the hard times and the huge blessings f...

My guest today is Maggie Paulus. After growing up in Arkansas, she has lived in Michigan for the past 14 years and has 4 kids with her husband, Brent.  Brent and Maggie currently travel around the country as Family Revivalist with Life Action Ministries. This makes being a parent fun and challenging doing what she calls 'Road School' with her kids. I have seen on Facebook, Maggie dabbling at being...

My guest today is Odell Traffanstedt. Del. He and I met at our SBTC annual meeting some time ago and we had breakfast together. Del grew up in Oklahoma & California but is now in Odessa TX serving as Senior Pastor at Mission Dorado Baptist Church. He has adopted 3 kids from TBHC and has 2 biological children.  All kids are spread out from ages 4 up to 25 years old. Del’s story is redemptive an...

My guest today is Eric Porter. Eric and I have become fast friends over our couple of years of knowing each other. Both in the professional space we share and as fellow adoptive dads. Eric grew up in Owasso, Oklahoma. He and his wife Trisha have been married 21 years and have 6 kids. 4 biological and 2 adopted. He loves to run! I have witnessed this passion as he has participated in TBHC’s Hero 5K...

My Guests today are Paul and Deana Olszewski.  They both grew up in Texas.  Paul is from Lufkin, Deana is from Tomball. They currently call Lufkin home where Paul is a high school teacher and pastor of youth at First Baptist Church Keltys. Deana is fulfilling a great responsibility but also one of the greatest privileges of being a stay at home mom. They have had 7 foster children in their homes s...

Today my guest is Ann Schmidt. She is a veteran of adoption and foster care. She and her husband Randy started in caring for children in 1984. They have adopted 5 children, and have also been blessed with 2 biological children. Yes you did the math right - they have 7 children. She has seen the systems impact on kids and has been a beacon of love to everyone in their home. Along with her legacy of...

My guests today are Duane and Charlotte Turner. They both grew up in Jacksonville Texas and were married 64 years ago at Enterprise Baptist Church. Their journey of adoption started in 1961, and they have been advocates and supporters of that incredible expression of the gospel ever since. They came to TBHC in 1997. Duane served as the officer of development and Charlotte volunteered on campus. Du...

My guest today is a longtime friend Norita Drake. She has lived in TX for 34 years and is widely known among friends as being a great cook. I personally can attest to this and have enjoyed some of her dishes over the years. I especially got a sample one Thanksgiving many years ago when my wife and I spent Thanksgiving Day with Norita and her late husband, Earl. Norita has served and continues to s...

TBHC is excited to launch our brand new podcast called Bringing Kids Home. We will explore stories of Adoption and Foster Care. As well as how anyone including you can make a difference in a childs life.